The looks on Sarah and Jeff’s faces when they saw each other for the first time during their wedding day said it all. They looked like kids on Christmas morning.

But instead of getting a pile of presents, they were getting each other. And they were so excited about it.

Sarah and Jeff’s Monterey wedding at the InterContinental The Clement on Cannery Row was a big day: Lots of guests, big families, great food and drinks and dancing and all the trappings. But their love for each other, and the way they expressed it that day, made the big event seem intimate and personal.

Their vows, which expressed their love for each other in their own words, kept everyone at the ceremony in rapt attention — which was good, since their waterfront sunset ceremony happened to be visited by some of Monterey’s famous chilly weather. But the warmth of Sarah and Jeff’s sentiments eased the shivers of the guests. And at the very end of the ceremony, just before the kiss, a nearly full moon rose across the bay, making an already beautiful backdrop even more stunning.

Sarah and Jeff put together a great team to handle the details of their wedding:

Amy Frugoli of Twitterpated Weddings was not only a detail-oriented and conscientious wedding planner, she also was extremely thoughtful: She made snack packs for the other vendors.

Ric & Rose of Grover Films are exactly the kind of videographers I love to work with: Creative people who can plan on the fly how we can both get a great shot without getting in each other’s way, and who also are fun to talk to when there’s a moment of downtime.

And Paul Burchfield of Big Fun DJs kept the dance floor moving, and even provided a great light show and fog, which as a photographer is a big plus.

Here’s a gallery of my favorite photos from the day: